Perhaps going to Théoden's door at 2 in the morning was a bad idea but I didn’t want to be alone in my room right now.

Then why was I hesitant? I needed his comfort right now and he wasn’t responding through the bursts of energy I knew he received.

I sighed as I stood in front of his door. I shouldn’t…but.. fuck it. I found myself knocking on his door. “Théoden?” I asked in a whispered voice.

It took a moment before I heard some shuffling behind his door. Hearing the twist of the knob, Théoden looked at me surprised, “Maria? What are you doing here?”

“I--” I stammered, hell I wasn’t exactly sure why I was there.

“Come in.” He moved aside and let me enter his room.

I have been to his room a few times. And it’s always the same. His oversized king bed in the middle of the room and rows and rows of books lining two of the four walls. One of the other walls hung his armor and weapons and the other blank.

“Sit.” Théoden ordered me as he shut his door. “Tell me what happened.” I told him everything that went on in The Council chambers. “Why didn’t you wake me Maria? That was my doing not yours.” His voice was calm despite being frustrated.

“I gave you permission. So it was my fault. I had to take responsibility for my actions.” I looked away from him as I spoke. I felt as if he was disappointed in me. I couldn’t control my emotions.

“Maria,” he sighed, “I'm not disappointed. I am frustrated that you didn’t wake me, I could have helped you.”

“I know and I should have.” I still didn’t look at him. Instead I found myself staring at his armor.

“Then why didn’t you?”

“I wanted to try to fight my own battle.” I whispered, “if I am to be Queen, I need to be able to handle the bloody council.”

I felt him sit next to me. He pulled me into him, “this was a battle for both of us. You didn’t have to go through it alone.” He said as he carefully grabbed my face and turned it so I would look at him. “I am proud of you for facing that alone.” He kissed my forehead softly.

“Thanks, I needed that.”

We sat in silence for a moment before he spoke again, “as for punching Sybil in the face…”

“Yeah…I messed up didn’t I?”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Maybe, but that punch was perfect.” Théoden said with a smile. “However, that may set us back if we are to ever rely on The Council for anything.”

“I didn’t think of that,” I said softly. I knew he was right. If we were ever going to use The Council to help us in this battle with Marcel I may have just ruined our chances at that. Though, they did want to talk more, “maybe not.”

He looked down at me with curiosity in his eyes, “what do you mean?”

“They did want to talk to me again. Perhaps, I can try to smooth things over?”

“That would be a good idea to try.”

Silence fell once more between us as Theo utilized his aura to sooth my emotions. He looked down at the ring then back up at me. “Perhaps we are do for a magic lesson today.”

I smiled up at him, “not now though right?”

“Right. First, I got to get ready and so do you. Then we need breakfast.”

“Always thinking about food?”

“This early in the morning, yes.” Theoden said with a smile. “Now, let me get you back to your room unseen.”

“How are you going to…teleport?”

“Yes.” Théoden said, “we just have to hope that no one seen you coming here. That could put us in more trouble.”

“I didn’t..”

“It’s alright Maria. I rather you come here when you are unstable like that then go to your room and sulk.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me up off his bed, “let’s just get you back to your room unseen alright?”

I sighed, “alright.”

In a flash he teleported me back to the comfort of my own room. I sat on the edge of my bed and thought about the things I needed to accomplish. One, I had to smooth things over with The Council. Two, I needed to reach out to the other kingdoms and brief them on things that have been going on. It had been awhile since I had spoken to The King of Aspen, Alaric or the Queen of Emerald Cove, Eleanor.

Both will be a good idea. We need them on our side.

That’s what I was thinking. Especially if I messed things up with my council, at least could have two other kingdoms on our backs.

We can discuss more of this at breakfast. I’ll be in the kitchen in ten.

I was about to respond to him when a knock brought me back into reality. Who is it now…I groaned as I got up and opened my door once more.

“Fredrick? What are you…Cedric?” I asked as I opened the door to see four of the five council members standing in my corridor. “Wulfric? Thora?” Fuck. How much trouble am I in?

Stay calm Maria. Théoden reminded me through the bond.

“Don’t seem too surprised there, princess, we did say we would talk with you later.” Fredrick said.

“Sorry, I just thought you meant another day.”

“We thought about that but figured we might as well discuss things now.” Cedric said. “Unless you have plans?”

“I was going to grab something to eat. I haven’t eaten anything all morning.”

“I could use a bite.” Wulfric said, “Care if we join you and we can discuss things over food?”

“I don’t see why not.” I shrugged, “follow me then.”

All four fell in step behind me all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. This is going to be one strange breakfast. I told Théoden through the bond as it had been years since we had company at the breakfast table.